The Buffalo Bills -- short on capable NFL quarterbacks -- reportedly are close to signing 35-year-old Josh McCown.

The 12-year veteran, released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Feb. 11, also has talked with the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns. But, according to the Buffalo News on Thursday, he could sign with the Bills by Friday.

McCown, a third-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2002, has played for six teams in 13 seasons. He started 11 games for Tampa Bay in 2014, completing 56.3 percent of his passes for 2,206 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

The Bills lost veteran Kyle Orton to retirement this offseason, and the only quarterback on the roster at the moment is 2013 first-rounder EJ Manuel.

At the Combine last week, new coach Rex Ryan was asked about the quarterback position.

"Obviously that's priority, not just for our team but any team in this league," he said. "But it's a lot easier said than done. ... I'm excited about EJ Manuel, though. He's a young man that has some potential. We'll see how that pans out. We did bring Josh in, so obviously there's some interest there on our part."